HELSINKI COMMISSION HEARING EXAMINESRECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN AND AROUND KOSOVO

(Washington) - The United States Helsinki Commission will convene a hearing to examine the recent developments in and around Kosovo.

Recent Developments in and around Kosovo

Thursday, March 29, 2001

2:00 – 4:00 PM

485 Russell Senate Office Building

Since 1999, the international community has been responsible for keeping the peace in Kosovo while seeking to create and develop civilian institutions which would enable Kosovo to function autonomously and democratically, whatever its final status may be.

This hearing will focus on the most recent developments in such areas as human rights, including minority rights; the results of last year’s local elections and prospects for Kosovo elections this year; the development of a local police force; and the role of KFOR peacekeepers and other organizations in maintaining security and civil order.

The witness panel will be asked to address the relationship between Kosovo and the recent escalation of violence in neighboring regions of southern Serbia and Macedonia, as well as the United States and international community’s response to this violence.
Scheduled to testify:
General Joseph W. Ralston (USAF), Supreme Allied Commander Europe (NATO) and Commander-in-Chief, United States European CommandAmbassador James W. Pardew, Jr., Principal Deputy Special Advisor for Kosovo and Dayton ImplementationAmbassador Daan W. Everts, Head of Mission, OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The United States Helsinki Commission is an independent Federal Government agency charged with monitoring and encouraging compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other commitments of the 55 countries participating in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Commission, created in 1976, is comprised of nine Senators, nine Representatives and one senior official each from the Departments of State, Commerce and Defense.